This weekend my RZR stopped in it’s tracks. It was bleeding all over and there were chunks of aluminum on the ground.
The rear end blew to bits.:sad:
https://plus.google.com/photos/11412…Mjog7TS6f_f8wE
The RZR is a 2012 with very little miles. I think it’s got under 150 hours Maybe closer to 100. I’ll have to check and update the thread. It’s basically new.
Anyways, first I was extremely disappointed at how much time and tools it takes to get the rear end out. This should take like 30 minutes, but it took three or four hours. There is a wild mix of hardware including a variety of sizes and both metric and standard. Then, most of the hardware is difficult to get to. My 11 year old had to use his small hands to reach some of the bolts after they were loosened. Really looking forward to putting a new one back in.:sad:
I was thinking what would I have done if this happened on a trail!!!!?? I was very fortunate to have broken down near my shop and dragged it back with my Ranger, but even that was a challenge.
Next, when finally got the thing out, the input spline was broken. At first I thought this was what happened. But that wouldn’t explain the pinion jamming through the case.
Then I noticed that the nut was completely off. At first I thought it might have sheared off, but all the threads were fine.
I talked to somebody at Hawk Engineering that used to sell the heavy duty housings and he confirmed that they often have problems with this and they typically remove the nut and locktite it on.
When the pinion nut comes off, the pinion gear slides between the ring gear and the housing causing a catastrophe.
My question is if Polaris is taking care of their customers on this? This is a clearly a design flaw. I’m out $1900 for what is clearly poor engineering.
I’m thinking there are millions upon millions of cars on the road with differentials driving tens and hundreds of thousands of miles and I’ve never heard of a pinion nut loosening up.
Another thing is that this is clearly either a design problem or there are random RZR’s that weren’t torqued properly. I don’t know, but i know it should never happen, no matter what.
Has anybody else had this problem or know of anybody that has?
Any info would be great.
